“Keeping Students with Disabilities Safe From Bullying” – A letter from the United States Department of Education: Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services
“The United States Education Department’s Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) issued guidance to educators and stakeholders on the matter of bullying of students with disabilities. This guidance provides an overview of school districts’ responsibilities to ensure that students with disabilities who are subject to bullying continue to receive free appropriate public education (FAPE) under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Under IDEA, States and school districts are obligated to ensure that students with disabilities receive FAPE in the least restrictive environment (LRE). This guidance explains that any bullying of a student with disabilities which results in the student not receiving meaningful educational benefit is considered a denial of FAPE. Furthermore, this letter notes that certain changes to an educational program of a student with a disability (e.g., placement in a more restricted “protected” setting to avoid bullying behavior) may constitute a denial of FAPE in the LRE.” –Official Blog of the U.S. Department of Education
To read more information from the Official Blog of the U.S. Department of Education click here
To read the full August 2013 letter from the United States Department of Education: Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services click here
